Thursday, May 21, 2015

Ontario College of Teachers Hearings - June 2015

Three-member panels of the Discipline Committee conduct public hearings into cases of alleged incompetence or professional misconduct... Discipline Committee panels have ordered that summaries of these recent disciplinary cases be published in Professionally Speaking. Copies of the full decisions are available at oct.ca/members/complaints-and-discipline/decisions.

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Grand Erie District School Board teacher Dean Richard Crites for engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a female student... During the 2010–11 school year, Crites engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with a female student, which included sending inappropriate text messages, providing gifts to her, and meeting her at his home and at the student’s workplace. He also engaged in sexual contact with her that included being in a hot tub with her while she was in her bra and underwear, being with her in his bed, giving her a massage, kissing and hugging her.

A Discipline Committee panel suspended Toronto District School Board teacher Ian Howard Alvin Handscomb and ordered his certificate be suspended with conditions for engaging in unprofessional behaviour with two students that involved inappropriate electronic communications and conversations of a sexual nature... The panel heard that between 2008 and 2010, Handscomb, an openly gay teacher, and a male student engaged in personal conversations and personal communication on Facebook. These included communications about the member’s personal life, sexual orientation, “coming out,” and safety in sexual relationships. The student had informed Handscomb that he was thinking of “coming out.” Handscomb shared films about sexuality, sexual orientation and “coming out” with the student. The panel also heard that in 2010 the member engaged in inappropriate electronic communications with a second male student, and failed to report to administrators that this student had sexually propositioned him.

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Ashley Marie Kernohan, a former teacher, for engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a depressed male student... During the 2011–12 school year, Kernohan engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with a student, which included exchanging cellphone numbers, text messaging and talking on the phone during the late hours of the evening. The relationship progressed when she gave the student letters and cards stating “I love you,” “I love you so much and can’t wait to spend tonight with you,’’ “I am yours forever and always’’ and “I’m sorry I have to tutor and can’t spend the whole night with you …’’ The school investigated the matter and her employment was subsequently terminated.

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Steve Richard Kilby, a former Simcoe County District School Board teacher, in connection with a criminal conviction for sexual interference... In July 2012, Kilby allowed one of his students to live in his home for one week. He also engaged in a personal and sexual relationship with the student. In August 2013, he was found guilty of sexual interference. He was sentenced to 54 days incarceration and three years of probation with terms, including a term that prohibits him from working with and/or volunteering in a capacity that involves being in a position of trust or authority toward persons under the age of 18.

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Christopher Nicholas Sager, a former Durham District School Board teacher, in connection with a criminal conviction for criminal harassment involving a female student... During the 2009–10 school year, Sager developed a personal relationship that evolved into a sexual relationship with a student. In May 2010, Sager was charged by Durham Regional Police with three counts of sexual exploitation. That same month, the school board terminated his employment. In November 2010, he pled guilty to criminal harassment. He received a suspended sentence and was placed on probation for three years.